A Financial Advisor, A Divorce Coach, And A Lawyer Walk Into A Bar… Why Your Divorce Needs A Team
It sounds like the setup to a joke, but it’s actually the answer to the most important question in a divorce: “How do I get through this in one piece?”
Many people think a divorce is only one legal problem. They hire a lawyer and expect that single person to be their legal gladiator, financial wizard, and emotional support system all in one.
Your lawyer is your legal advocate, but they aren’t your therapist. They aren’t your financial planner either. Trying to make them all three is like asking a heart surgeon to also do your taxes. It’s the most expensive and least effective way to get through this.
A good divorce requires a team. These three pros, including our Chicago, IL complex divorce lawyer, are your starting lineup.
The Lawyer: Your Legal Quarterback
Your lawyer is the quarterback of your divorce. Their job is to see the whole field, understand the law, and protect your rights.
- What they do: They handle the complex paperwork, file motions, and represent you in negotiations and in the courtroom. They are the only person on your team who can give you actual legal advice.
- What they don’t do: Your lawyer isn’t necessarily the ideal person to call for an hour-long vent session about how angry you are. Though the good ones are compassionate and want to connect with their clients, you are better off speaking with someone else about your emotions.
The Divorce Coach: Your Head Coach & Strategist
If the lawyer is the quarterback, a great coach is the one calling the plays from the sideline who keeps your head in the game.
- What they do: This is the professional who helps you manage the game of divorce. They help you disengage from high-conflict communication and make clear and rational decisions instead of reactive ones. This keeps your case (and your legal bills) focused.
- This is why we have one in-house: At Merel Family Law, we know this role is so critical that we have one of the best on our team. Kristina Lindsay is a certified High Conflict Divorce Coach and certified Domestic Violence Professional. She is our clients’ secret weapon who guides them through the emotional minefield so they can stay focused on the legal and financial goals.
- Their critical role: Kristina helps you separate the emotional drama from the business transaction. We can always tell which clients are working with a coach. They’re calmer and don’t send that 2 AM angry email that costs them and hurts their credibility.
The Financial Advisor: Your Future Planner
The financial advisor (especially a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst/CDFA) is your money specialist. Their job is to figure out what your life actually looks like after the divorce is final.
- What they do: They untangle the web of marital finances. They don’t only ask the basic questions like, “Who gets the house?” They ask the right questions along with them: “Can you actually afford the house?” They’ll analyze the long-term tax implications of your settlement and create a real-world budget for your new life.
- Their critical role: They prevent you from winning a settlement that’s actually a financial loss. We’ve seen people fight for a house they can’t afford, only to lose it to foreclosure. The financial advisor is the objective and numbers-driven specialist who makes sure the settlement you get is one that actually supports your future.
Why The Team Wins
When you only have a lawyer, you’re merely playing defense. When you have a full team, you’re playing to win.
- The divorce coach keeps you calm so you can listen to your lawyer.
- The financial advisor gives your lawyer the hard data needed to build a winning case.
- The lawyer takes that data and that clear-headed focus and executes the legal strategy.
Your divorce is a high-stakes transition. You need a team that’s seen it all. We quarterback these teams every single day. If you’re in Illinois or Michigan and ready to build your strategy, connect with Merel Family Law and let’s get your story straight today.
